CAIRO: The United States shot down four drones headed toward a US destroyer in the southern Red Sea and launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Saturday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
“These attacks represent the 14th and 15th attacks on commercial shipping by Houthi militants since Oct. 17,” CENTCOM wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
The Iran-aligned Houthis, who control much of Yemen, have disrupted world trade for weeks with attacks on ships passing through the Bab Al-Mandab Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea in what they say is a response to Israel’s war in Gaza.
The US Naval Forces Central Command responded to distress calls from two ships under attack, CENTCOM said.
The Norwegian-flagged, -owned and -operated chemical/oil tanker Blaamanen reported a near miss in a Houthi drone attack, while a Gabon-owned, Indian-flagged crude oil tanker reported being hit by a one-way attack, CENTCOM wrote on X.
The Indian tanker was sailing in front of the Norwegian ship when it was hit by the drone, Blaamanen’s operator Hansa Tankers said in a statement on Sunday.
“Owing to the close vicinity our master alerted the US Navy which came to the scene, offering protection,” the company said.
The Norwegian tanker transporting non-flammable vegetable oil from Europe to India and its crew were safe and proceeded as planned, Hansa Tankers added.
Two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles were also “fired into international shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen,” it said. “No ships reported being impacted by the ballistic missiles.”
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency earlier reported that an uncrewed aerial system had exploded near a vessel in the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, 45 nautical miles southwest of Saleef, Yemen.
The United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian three days ago, saying more than a dozen countries had agreed to participate in an effort that will involve joint patrols in Red Sea waters near Yemen.
The Sanaa-based group has obstructed their passage through the strait.
US shoots down 4 drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas
https://arab.news/wv8vx
US shoots down 4 drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas
- The Iran-aligned Houthis have disrupted world trade for weeks with attacks on ships passing through the Bab Al-Mandab Strait
At least 12 killed overnight by Israeli strikes in Gaza
- The pre-dawn strikes hit three houses in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp
- Israel has carried out daily strikes on Gaza since ending its ceasefire with Hamas last month
At least 12 people including children were killed overnight in Gaza by Israeli strikes, hospital workers said Wednesday.
The pre-dawn strikes hit three houses in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, according to staff at the Al-Aqsa hospital, which received the bodies. Among the dead were three children, including two brothers whose bodies arrived in pieces, according to the hospital’s morgue.
Israel has carried out daily strikes on Gaza since ending its ceasefire with Hamas last month. It has cut off the territory’s 2 million Palestinians from all imports, including food and medicine, since the beginning of March in what it says is an attempt to pressure the militant group to release hostages.
The strikes come after more than two dozen people were killed earlier this week in Gaza City and Beit Lahiya.
Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.
UAE arrests cell smuggling weapons to ‘Sudanese army’
DUBAI: UAE security services have thwarted an attempt to illegally transfer weapons and military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces, state-run WAM News Agency reported.
“The country’s security services foiled an attempt to illegally smuggle weapons and military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces,” read a statement on WAM.
UAE's Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi said authorities have prevented the illegal transfer of “a quantity of military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces following the arrest of members of a cell involved in unauthorized mediation, brokering and illicit trafficking of military equipment, without obtaining the necessary licenses.”
The statement said the defendants were arrested during an inspection of ammunition in a private aircraft at one of the country’s airports.
Authorities have seized approximately five million rounds of 7.62 x 54 mm Goryunov-type ammunition that were found on the plane.
Al-Shamsi said the investigation revealed the involvement of some Sudanese military leaders, including former intelligence Chief Salah Gosh and a political figure close to General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan. It also said several Sudanese businessmen were also implicated.
US official tells UN top court ‘serious concerns’ over UNRWA impartiality
THE HAGUE: A US official on Wednesday told the International Court of Justice there were “serious concerns” about the impartiality of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
ICJ judges are holding a week of hearings to help them formulate an advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations toward UN agencies delivering aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
“There are serious concerns about UNRWA’s impartiality, including information that Hamas has used UNRWA facilities and that UNRWA staff participated in the October 7th terrorist attack against Israel,” said Josh Simmons from the US State Department legal team.
Syrian state media says 11 dead in new clashes near Damascus
- Clashes erupted overnight between security forces and “outlaw groups” near Damascus
DAMASCUS: Syria state media said Wednesday that 11 people had been killed in clashes that erupted overnight between security forces and “outlaw groups” near Damascus.
“The number of dead after outlaw groups targeted civilians and security forces” in the Sahnaya area “has risen to 11 dead and a number of wounded,” state news agency SANA said, citing a health ministry statement, without elaborating on the identity of those killed.
Iraq to host Arab Summit in Baghdad on May 17
- Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said invitations had been extended to most Arab leaders
DUBAI: Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein confirmed on Tuesday that the Arab Summit will be held in Baghdad as planned on May 17.
Hussein said that invitations had been extended to most Arab leaders, with many showing positive responses, state news agency INA reported.
The minister emphasized the strong interest among Arab states in participating, reflecting regional support for Iraq’s hosting of the summit.
